James Gandolfini's ex-partner claims, his hectic routine killed him

File photo of actor James Gandolfini who died at 51 in Italy. (AP Photo)

James Gandolfini's former girlfriend, Lora Somoza, has claimed that his role as Tony Soprano in, The Sopranos, led to the demise of the star as he resorted to drinking and drugs to deal with the amount of recognition that came with the show.

Somoza believes that it was his need to take a break from his super hectic schedule that led to his fatal heart attack last week, the Daily Star reported.

The America's biggest TV star passed away in Rome aged 51, after reportedly bingeing on king prawns, foie gras, four shots of rum, two pina coladas and two beers.

She said that Gandolfini was a man of giant appetite and he was a private man who found fame difficult to deal with so they didn't go out much.

Somoza, 44, asserted that his work was relentless and he'd work 14 or 16-hour days, only to come home to memorise seven pages of dialogue.

The sex therapist said that it was brutal and she would defy anyone under that stress not to seek some form of relief.